if I remember correctly - some of them are 24" (same as Jaguar) and some are shorter as they were student guitars. I also have a feeling that the different versions of the Cyclone have different scale lengths, but I could be wrong about that.

the consensus was "get a jazzmaster instead" and if you've got more bucks "then fit it with a mustang bridge"

I don't know anything about them, and have never played one, but in terms of what they look like and the sounds ive heard from each, i'd say jazzmaster definitely. If i ever get tonnes of moneys, i'm getting a fucking old bashed up one, then i'm getting a fucking old bashed up SG.

and it's lovely. Get one - new ones I've heard sound good too, and then you'll have less trouble getting parts.

They do seem to require more maintenance than Teles, but nothing compared to Jaguars or Jazzmasters. Mustangs are really simple, and because they have a kind of blank tone, you can make them sound the way you want easier.

the same one custard coloured one as the the guy from The Cribs (not intentionally!).

Within a ballpark budget, I couldn't possibly hope for a better guitar for what I do - kind of sharp, biting rhythm with bits of noisy lead. I think I paid £460 for mine. It was reduced from £500 or so though because it had a chip on the paintwork. And this was about 2 years ago.

I tried out a cyclone in the shop because it looked so cool, but thought it sounded horrible. So I can only assume a Squier Cyclone is worse. I think they are being discontinued so you could probably get one on the cheap though if you really wanted one. Definitely try it before you buy though!

after seeing mars volta last night, I now want an ibanez JTK2 or whatever it is that he plays. Apparently ibanez are making a signature model for him which, despite finding the prospect of owning a "signature model" completely horrifying, i think it would be basically COOL AS FUCK.

I swear, about a quarter of the people at mars volta gigs are there because it's cool, another quarter are there just to get down the unbelievable jamz (ME!), another quarter is there just to stare at their gear (yeah, also me... a bit), and the final quarter is there because it's the decided meeting point for that week's "Ponytail, beard and band t-shirt" meeting.

I have the one with double humbuckers (zebra stripe), one's an atomic, the other, erm...possibly needs to be upgraded . anyway it plays really nicely (long scale, very fast neck) and it's got such a loud bassy sound that cuts through in comparison to my other guitars and it takes a battering! they're going for about 350, I think this model's worth a go.

It's the 'other' Tristan here, I used to own a Mustang a few years ago they are nice guitars, a bit thin sounding though. If you want a USA Fender that sounds better than a Mustang, is cheaper, vintage and stays in tune, you might want to consider a Lead II: